HBR IdeaCastWhat It Takes to Make Progress When the Future Feels Out of Control
Sep 15, 2026 · 25 min
When the future feels increasingly out of our control, how can leaders and organizations make progress? University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the study of optimism, resilience, and human flourishing, argues that the answer is agency: the belief that we can influence outcomes and create positive change. He defines agency as a combination of three capabilities: effica…